UF Volleyball: Gators Are Elite! UF Advances to Regional Final With Win Over Ohio State
Courtesy of University Athletic Association
BY KATIE CALLAHAN
Florida topped the Buckeyes in four sets on Sunday night to advance to the program’s 17th Regional Final
The eighth-seeded Florida volleyball team gets to keep dancing as the squad defeated the ninth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in four sets on Sunday evening in the Chi Health Center Convention Center.
The Gators advance to their 17th Regional Final in program history and will face No. 1 Wisconsin on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU in the Chi Health Center Arena.
Florida won the first set 25-20 and then answered with a dramatic 26-24 comeback win in the second. Ohio State took a tight 25-23 battle in the third, but Florida responded with a dominating 25-16 win in the final frame to secure the match.
The block was difference maker for Florida, with the squad tallying 17.0 on the night, all while limiting the Buckeyes to a .139 clip. The 17.0 blocks tie the second-highest total in an NCAA Tournament game and are tied for the highest total in an NCAA Tournament game that went four sets or less.
Lauren Dooley led the way at the net, totaling 8.0 blocks on the night, while Lauren Forte added seven of her own. That mark puts them each respectively tied for fifth and tied for 10th for block assists in an NCAA Tournament game.
Marlie Monserez and Holly Carlton each added five blocks of the own on the night, followed by T’ara Ceasar and Thayer Hall each pitching in three.
The Gators were led on the offensive front by Ceasar, who posted a team-high 17 kills in the match. Thayer Hall added 11, while Monserez tallied a career-high eight – just two away from a triple-double.
Monserez paced Florida’s offense, dishing out 35 assists in the four-setter, leading Florida to a .236 clip on the night.
The backcourt defense was led by Elli McKissock, who tallied 19 digs in the match. Monserez added 15 for her ninth double-double of the season, while Ceasar registered 11 for her 10th double-double of the year.
As a team, Florida recorded five service aces behind three from Monserez and two from Ceasar.
The Gators now face 1-seed Wisconsin on Monday at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU in the Regional Final.